70 Lives Lost Already: 8 Ways You Can Help Reverse This Deadly Driving Trend

When you get behind the wheel, do you feel confident, complacent or confrontational? It’s a question worth asking as Hawaii faces a sobering reality: traffic fatalities have surged nearly 50% in the first half of 2025, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

As we navigate the 100 deadliest days of summer and beyond, it’s important to stay vigilant, focused and aware of the lives at stake, with every decision we make on the road.

The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. High school students are on summer break, the weather’s perfect for a road trip, and traffic accidents and fatalities soar. It’s a particularly dangerous time for inexperienced teen drivers, but everyone on the road should be aware of the heightened risks.

Why Are Traffic Fatalities Surging in Hawaii?

Island News says emergency crews have been responding to crashes almost every day. Pedestrian fatalities and crashes involving motorcycles, mopeds, e-bikes, and scooters are leading causes of death.

Traffic fatalities ARE preventable. If everyone makes an effort to drive carefully and stay aware of their surroundings, we can reduce the trend of rising traffic-related deaths. The goal should always be ZERO fatalities.

8 Ways to Stay Safe on the Road

Since risky driving is on the rise, all drivers need to reflect on their driving habits.

1. Slow down. Speeding is a major contributor to crashes and often turns what would have been a minor fender bender into a fatal collision. Obey the speed limit.
2. Don’t drive under the influence. Alcohol, marijuana, other drugs, and even over-the-counter medicines that cause drowsiness may impair your ability to drive. Don’t drive unless you’re sober.
3. Wear a seatbelt. If you’re involved in a crash, a seatbelt could save your life. Buckle up every time – and make sure your passengers do the same. In Hawaii, all car occupants in the front and back are legally required to wear a seatbelt. The cost of a ticket for not using a seatbelt is $102 in Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii and $112 in Kauai, as of 2024.
4. Pay attention. While driving, avoid multitasking. You need to focus 100% of your attention on the road – not on your phone, snacks, friends, or music. If you take your eyes off the road even for a second, you could miss a pedestrian stepping out or a scooter changing lanes. No distraction is worth someone’s life. It is also illegal to use electronic devices while driving in Hawaii.
5. Look out for pedestrians, motorcycles, and scooters. It’s easy to miss things that you’re not specifically watching for. If you’re only paying attention to cars, you could miss small objects – like people and bicycles – on the road.
6. Be especially careful when turning left. Left turns are particularly hazardous because you may have to cross multiple lanes of traffic and your field of view is often partially obstructed. Plan your routes to avoid left turns, if possible. If you do need to make a left turn, slow down and pay attention.
7. Stay calm. If you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated behind the wheel, you could be setting yourself up for road rage and risky driving. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination and accept that delays are just part of driving.
8. Be a safe pedestrian. Did you know it’s illegal to use an electronic device while crossing the street in Oahu? Drivers aren’t the only ones who need to avoid distractions – pedestrians also need to pay attention to their surroundings. Even if you have the right of way, you need to make sure drivers see you.

When you practice road safety, you protect your own life as well as the people in your community. You also help to keep car insurance rates down, both for yourself and for drivers in general.

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